Monaco gunning for a London spot....?

Many congratulations to Juan Monaco for edging Julien Bennetteau to take the Malaysian Open, a win which takes him up to 10th in the rankings, a career high for him.

Having now picked up four tour titles in 2012, this is actually proving to be his best season since turning pro in 2002. Prior to this year he had only had managed a total of three titles throughout his career.

Not bad considering he'll be 29 next March .......

Unlike in previous years, it seems the race to qualify for London won't be very exciting... The gap between the top 8 and the others (with Tipsy leading the "best of the rest") is pretty large, and there aren't too many tournaments left.

I'd say Tsonga isn't safe yet and with Rafa probably not playing 9th will get in, so not all over yet.

would love to see Gasquet sneak in but its unlikely

we have to remember indeed that Rafa probably won't make it, so it means it's a shoot out for top 9. Would be disappointing IMO to have Monaco in London: nice guy, good player, but won't trouble the top dogs...

Yes CAS would love to see Richie G getting in there. Talent wise he belongs in the top 8 he just hasn't grown as much as a player as the other three giants of his generation. Come on Richie, if you have magical hardcourt run you could make to london and preferrably be put into Novak's group.

http://www.atpworldtour.com/Rankings/YTD-Singles.aspx

Actually, there is hardly anything between 8 and 9. You need to look at the race rankings which is more relevant. Tsonga's lead is based on previous performance in Paris and London that won't count towards this year's qualification. And he certainly has more work to do as the link shows.

Monaco is in the hunt, but I don't recall ever seeing him do much damage outside of minor tournaments and clay, and even if he does qualify, he would have a tough battle to get out of the group on that surface.

Tipsarevic looks favourite for the last spot, but other players like Gasquet and Raonic are in the hunt as well. If not quite this year, I think Raonic will be there next year.

Henman Bill wrote:http://www.atpworldtour.com/Rankings/YTD-Singles.aspx

Actually, there is hardly anything between 8 and 9. You need to look at the race rankings which is more relevant. Tsonga's lead is based on previous performance in Paris and London that won't count towards this year's qualification. And he certainly has more work to do as the link shows.

Monaco is in the hunt, but I don't recall ever seeing him do much damage outside of minor tournaments and clay, and even if he does qualify, he would have a tough battle to get out of the group on that surface.

Tipsarevic looks favourite for the last spot, but other players like Gasquet and Raonic are in the hunt as well. If not quite this year, I think Raonic will be there next year.

Yeah my money would be on the more experienced tipsy slotting into the last spot. Raonic has a chance as all the remaining tourneys will be indoors and that is probably his favorite type of surface. I do see him barring injury being a very strong favorite to finish top 8 next year. I think top 8 next year and top 5 and slam contention soon after that.